Iceland 0-1 Finland recap – Stunning Kosola winner gives The Boreal Owls victory in Euro 2025 opener

A fantastic strike from Katariina Kosola was enough to secure Finland's first win at the European Championships since they hosted the tournament in 2009. In a group that looked evenly-matched at the outset, they will now fancy themselves to progress.

Though Iceland were favourites to win, it was clear early on that Finland were the better organised outfit. But though Kosola threatened periodically, a lack of final-third quality meant that the teams were level at the break.

The game, though, changed in seven second-half minutes. First, Icelandic midfielder Hildur Antonsdottir was booked for a late challenge on Kosola, then, shortly afterwards, she was again tardy, landing studs on Eveliina Summamen's metatarsus and leaving the referee with no choice but to brandish a second card.

Sensing an opportunity, Finland pushed more players forward as Iceland retreated and, on 70 minutes, Kosola cut in from the left, clipping a fine shot into the far top corner – though Cecilia Runarsdottir may wonder if she may have done better to stop it.

Iceland then created little in the time that remained, Finland recording a momentous victory that gives them a fine chance of progressing from Group A.

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They were strong and organised in defence, attacked when they could, kept their discipline, and Kosola scored a fabulous winner. Iceland, on the other hand, were less than the sum of their parts and don't have long to find another way.

They win the folick, the ref blows for an infringement, and that will surely be time!

But straight to Koivunen.

She reads the flight better than her marker, spins, volleys ... and drags wide.

Roth replaces Summamen and Koivisto is on for Oling.

...and another Finland head in the right place at the right time to head clear.

They're still defending well, but they're not using the extra player and making Iceland chase the ball.

Iceland find Tryggvadottir on the edge, she shots low and hard, through Tynilla's legs ... and Koivunen plunges to save.

Can Iceland find something?

Again, Jonsdottir hurls in, and again, Finland clear, then Albertsdottir is penalized for a foul on the edge and tie is running away from Iceland.

This is, by the standard, a chance. So of course my coverage jups, and all I can tell you is that it comes to nowt.

Has a look then lets go a shot from 22 yards. It moves in the air a bit too, but is down the middle, and Kovunen saves comfortably enough.

Off goes Vilhjalmsdottir, on comes Tryggvadottir.

And in Kosola, they've a bit of x-factor too. I could see them frustrating a better side than Iceland.

she behaved sillily, but you've got to feel for Antonsdottir, who'll be feeling horrendous.

Off go Kovisto and Sallstrom, on come Lehtola and Rantala.

if I'm honest, I'm not sure who's on the ball. And it doesn't really matter because when the cross comes in, Nystrom blocks and Koivunen collects.